§ Mr. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the estimated numbers receiving free welfare through the family income supplement benefits other than free school meals and supplementary benefit "passport" and by separate application on the
Passport arrangements Welfare benefit Supplementary benefit Family income supplement Low income Welfare foods … … … … 230,000* 60,000† 15,000† Dental services‡ … … … … 274,200 6,400 89,400 Optical services‡ … … … … 552,200 3,000 126,100 Wigs‡ … … … … 200 § 300 Fabric supports‡ … … … … 1,800 § 2,300 * Beneficiaries at August 1974. † Provisional estimate of beneficiaries at November 1974. ‡ Number of payments made by Department during 1974 until 31st October 1974. § Included in low income payments, separate figures not available.